Post by carl on Jan 17, 2015 18:38:00 GMT -6
When starting to select photos for this thread, I hadn't intended it to be a review. As I went through the sequence, though, I realized that is exactly what it is.
When the Tank Anglaise was introduced a couple of years ago, it was instantly the furthest Cartier from my mind. The only size which houses the in-house movement is the XL, and I thought it far too large for a Cartier Tank. At that time, the model was only available in precious metal, and far beyond my reach. Kudos to Cartier - big time - for introducing this model in stainless steel and retaining all of the craftsmanship and beauty found in the much more expensive models.
Here are the specs:
Tank Anglaise size XL ref: W5310008
Stainless steel, brushed and polished case and bracelet, hidden butterfly clasp on bracelet
Silvered guilloche dial, blued steel sword-shaped hands, black roman numerals
Sapphire crystal, exhibition sapphire caseback
Nine-sided crown (non screw down) seamlessly incorporated into case, with blue synthetic spinel cabochon
Case dimensions: 47 x 36.2mm / 9.82mm thick
Manufacture Movement: automatic caliber 1904-MC, 48 hours power reserve, 35 jewels, 28,800 vibrations/hr (4hz)
Functions: Time and Date, date aperture at 3 o'clock
Water Resistance: 30m/100ft.
I love a watch with a bracelet. And especially this one, which is not tapered, and continues the wonderful wrist presence of the XL. It appears, at times, to be fairly thick, yet it's just under 10mm. It hugs the wrist beautifully, and one can afford to wear it loosely as the large rectangular measurements prevent it from sliding around. The butterfly clasp is one of the most beautifully seamless I have seen. Again Cartier is to be commended, for even in it's far less expensive Tank Solo range, the same quality and engineering of the bracelet appears.
More details on the dial and hands, I have included along with the photos. I won't go into detail about the movement. Only to say that I have already experienced it in my Calibre de Cartier. The movement was new at the time to Cartier, it's first in-house, it is not COSC Certified, and it is one of the most accurate movements I have had in any watch.
Hopefully, my photos will do this timepiece due justice, and will reveal all of it's beautiful facets.
I love the curved crystal. It gives a beautiful distortion to the dial at certain angles, not unlike some of the effects given by a hesalite. It suits the watch beautifully, and does give it a sort of vintage effect:
Here is a beautiful example of the thickly applied Roman numerals and how they are slightly domed. You can also see that the guilloche extends to the outside of the dial. It surrounds the two tracks which are raised slightly. I seriously considered a Tank MC, but I find the dial too square for my liking, and all lovely, the large "small" seconds occupies too much of the dial. The small date window IMO enhances the dial, as it occupies less space than the three Roman Numeral "Ones" would. The window is beautifully bevelled. I really wanted to avoid having the second hand, but in this case it is so nice and thin, so much that it does intrude on the dial, and in some lights is almost invisible.
IMO every Cartier deserves a beautiful ring. I seem to have an uncanny talent for walking up to a display case and picking an appropriate piece of jewellery in almost split-second timing. Today was no exception. This is my second John Hardy ring, and a more beautiful handmade piece to compliment the Cartier I don't believe could be found anywhere. Sterling Silver with blue Pietersite. I was stunned when I saw it.
I love the brushed caseback, and the beautiful, deep engraving. While not normally a fan of exhibition casebacks, I feel that this 1904MC caliber deserves it. The only model in the Tank Anglaise range that has it, as it is the only size than can take the in-house movement.
Every detail on the caseback screams "Cartier". A watch is the ultimate form of jewellery, and every facet of the Tank Anglaise illustrates this.
The blue cabochon on the crown is a must for me on a Cartier, as are the blued hands. The crown is so easy to operate, and to adjust the time and date, the tip of the crown with the cabochon is pulled out. It sounds a bit awkward, but in fact is very well engineered. The winding mechanism is one of the smoothest I have experienced.
The Cartier Tank Anglaise, from my observations on various Cartier forums, is not widely discussed. I suppose it's quite a controversial design, especially in the XL form. I also imagine that many who treasure the aesthetics of the more traditional size of Tank will not pursue the watch. It is not a particularly large watch by today's standards, yet because of it's rectangular shape commands a much larger wrist presence than would be normal for a watch of this size. But that is what appeals to me. It is great to have some pomp, bling and presence in an otherwise fairly tricky life. I was dead set on having a collection of only Omega watches, but I realize that no watch manufacturer is capable of satisfying every whim or fancy. Just as an Omega Moonwatch is a necessary part of my collection, so is a Cartier Tank. And I sincerely believe I picked the best.
Cheers,
Carl
When the Tank Anglaise was introduced a couple of years ago, it was instantly the furthest Cartier from my mind. The only size which houses the in-house movement is the XL, and I thought it far too large for a Cartier Tank. At that time, the model was only available in precious metal, and far beyond my reach. Kudos to Cartier - big time - for introducing this model in stainless steel and retaining all of the craftsmanship and beauty found in the much more expensive models.
Here are the specs:
Tank Anglaise size XL ref: W5310008
Stainless steel, brushed and polished case and bracelet, hidden butterfly clasp on bracelet
Silvered guilloche dial, blued steel sword-shaped hands, black roman numerals
Sapphire crystal, exhibition sapphire caseback
Nine-sided crown (non screw down) seamlessly incorporated into case, with blue synthetic spinel cabochon
Case dimensions: 47 x 36.2mm / 9.82mm thick
Manufacture Movement: automatic caliber 1904-MC, 48 hours power reserve, 35 jewels, 28,800 vibrations/hr (4hz)
Functions: Time and Date, date aperture at 3 o'clock
Water Resistance: 30m/100ft.
I love a watch with a bracelet. And especially this one, which is not tapered, and continues the wonderful wrist presence of the XL. It appears, at times, to be fairly thick, yet it's just under 10mm. It hugs the wrist beautifully, and one can afford to wear it loosely as the large rectangular measurements prevent it from sliding around. The butterfly clasp is one of the most beautifully seamless I have seen. Again Cartier is to be commended, for even in it's far less expensive Tank Solo range, the same quality and engineering of the bracelet appears.
More details on the dial and hands, I have included along with the photos. I won't go into detail about the movement. Only to say that I have already experienced it in my Calibre de Cartier. The movement was new at the time to Cartier, it's first in-house, it is not COSC Certified, and it is one of the most accurate movements I have had in any watch.
Hopefully, my photos will do this timepiece due justice, and will reveal all of it's beautiful facets.
I love the curved crystal. It gives a beautiful distortion to the dial at certain angles, not unlike some of the effects given by a hesalite. It suits the watch beautifully, and does give it a sort of vintage effect:
Here is a beautiful example of the thickly applied Roman numerals and how they are slightly domed. You can also see that the guilloche extends to the outside of the dial. It surrounds the two tracks which are raised slightly. I seriously considered a Tank MC, but I find the dial too square for my liking, and all lovely, the large "small" seconds occupies too much of the dial. The small date window IMO enhances the dial, as it occupies less space than the three Roman Numeral "Ones" would. The window is beautifully bevelled. I really wanted to avoid having the second hand, but in this case it is so nice and thin, so much that it does intrude on the dial, and in some lights is almost invisible.
IMO every Cartier deserves a beautiful ring. I seem to have an uncanny talent for walking up to a display case and picking an appropriate piece of jewellery in almost split-second timing. Today was no exception. This is my second John Hardy ring, and a more beautiful handmade piece to compliment the Cartier I don't believe could be found anywhere. Sterling Silver with blue Pietersite. I was stunned when I saw it.
I love the brushed caseback, and the beautiful, deep engraving. While not normally a fan of exhibition casebacks, I feel that this 1904MC caliber deserves it. The only model in the Tank Anglaise range that has it, as it is the only size than can take the in-house movement.
Every detail on the caseback screams "Cartier". A watch is the ultimate form of jewellery, and every facet of the Tank Anglaise illustrates this.
The blue cabochon on the crown is a must for me on a Cartier, as are the blued hands. The crown is so easy to operate, and to adjust the time and date, the tip of the crown with the cabochon is pulled out. It sounds a bit awkward, but in fact is very well engineered. The winding mechanism is one of the smoothest I have experienced.
The Cartier Tank Anglaise, from my observations on various Cartier forums, is not widely discussed. I suppose it's quite a controversial design, especially in the XL form. I also imagine that many who treasure the aesthetics of the more traditional size of Tank will not pursue the watch. It is not a particularly large watch by today's standards, yet because of it's rectangular shape commands a much larger wrist presence than would be normal for a watch of this size. But that is what appeals to me. It is great to have some pomp, bling and presence in an otherwise fairly tricky life. I was dead set on having a collection of only Omega watches, but I realize that no watch manufacturer is capable of satisfying every whim or fancy. Just as an Omega Moonwatch is a necessary part of my collection, so is a Cartier Tank. And I sincerely believe I picked the best.
Cheers,
Carl
